Detailed On-Water Measurements of Blade Forces and Stroke Efficiencies in Sprint Canoe

Measurements of blade forces are made using a load cell mounted between the blade and shaft of a modified paddle. All six force components and moments are measured simultaneously to give a full picture of blade hydrodynamic forces as the centre of pressure on the blade varies throughout the stroke. Blade orientation was also measured using inertial measurement units, one on the blade shaft, and the other on the canoe giving the relative …